Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-12-10
ATLANTA GOES WET.
Prohibition Defeated After a Hard
Struggle.
Ladies' at the Polls - Singing and
Preaching.

ATLANTA, Gs., Nov. 2S.--After the nsost
heated contest on record Saturday, prolib-
alton was defeated. The msiority In the city
is about 1900. At early dawn bands Of
women stationed themselves near thesix polls
at which the people were to vote upon the
question of the sale Cf liquor. As the 1rst
ballots began falling into the boxes the women
began singing familiar Methodist hymns. All
day long the most remarkable scenes followed.
White women engaged IN conversation with
negroes whom they had never seen before,
urging them to deposit their ballots against
the sale.
AZ one precinct was gathered a representa-.
tive BODY Of women. One girl, chIbby-fsced,
blonde and blue.oycd, stood leaning against 8
door post, while with arm twincd around her
white SISTERS waist stood a cOlored Hebe,
whose fine proportions were admired by all
tue men who passed. AS this group Of white
and black posed IN sis erly embrace, two col.
ored dudes, hat IL band, stood in the front
yard, passing the usual compliments OF he
eeason. Just outside the gate stood q huge
black man with bis back against the fence. In
front OF him stood u white woman patting
him on the breast aud begging him TO "vote
for Jesus" An old negro who happened to
be passing, threw up his hands as he looked
upon this scene aud exclaimed: BLESS de
Lord, I'sc lived 10 SEE de Guild folks az good
as de whites"
Il is proper, however, to say that the lat!es
VINO engaged In this business are not repre-
sentativcs Of the ladies OF Atlanta, and their
condsct i" being found in such surroundings
is not approved OF ny the people CT the city.
As early as ; O'Clock voters began 10 corr
gregate about the voting places, and Il is said
that not a few epent tie nigh at the polls
Before 7 O'clock long lines formed at each az
the six city polls, and when the town CLOCK
struck Z the b%allotlng began. Both sides had
out o number Of carriages, the ants placard-
ed: Bling prosperity back to A'lsnta-Vote
for the salc.n on The Prohibition ariisges
vac For Prohibition"
The ianch rooms run under the auspices o
the Prohibition ladies were crowded III the
morning, and good lunches were furnished
the mgu who worked al toe polls,
Aband u little girls wearing blue badges
marched up 70 the courthouse NJ ~ 30 O'Clock
and SANG several Lymus. Q1itc sensation
was caused by Their appearance.
In the Fourth ward, ~ ll:l5, Hon. BIZ
Nickleberry addressed an excited crowd II
oolored pcople, say ing that the Prohibition
lists had shot a negro down town, and urging
them all 20 vote the wet ticket. The crowd
was Gisorderly. The policemen ON tne ground
sent for achievements. 1t looked like a rot
at this time. Mic lIeberry mounted g carriage
ard said: 'They are preventing coIorcd peo-
pie from voting Ivy challenging, and 40 whites
are challenged"
Peter billiard, Prohibitionist, spoke, saying
the Ants offered him Sl5 70 work for them.
HIS blue badge was loat ng in the breeze.
The announcement that Mayor Cooper had
voted The dry ticket raised a shout among the
blue ribbons. Mr.. Brady arrived on horse
back and begged tie crowd 20 b. quiet and
orderly. He urged tie people to vote the dry
ticket Rud not he provoked into a row.
DR.. Hswthorne'r vote was challenged by j.
9. Lester, it being alleged that he lived at
Norcross. The d ctor was Indignant at what
he called an internal Insult, aud took the re-
4uiiel oath and voted.
During the morning, several women and
girls assembled near "a voting place. There
were about fifteen atocGtLer assembled, and
as the voters would march up to tire polls,
they would sing such songs as Bringing H.
the sbtaves," Jesus will carry you through"
etc. The singing was under the supervision
OF Rev. Ii. w Bevilie, member OF Hunter
Street Christian church. Directly behind the
women aEd gins who were singing wSs a large
sign posted ON the door Of a former wine
Dom: michigan beer on fee"
All the preachers worked hard with the
crowds. The eyhorters, the cranks and the
politicians ~ttrHggled " lth them to vote dry,
but with An entilusiGs SIN which would not
brook restraint the voters broke awav ard
voted for The sale. rte negroes, especially,
resented Whist they looked upon as az in
fringcncnt OF their personal rights.
The hero Of the Jay Was Capt, Evan 2.
Howell. Wherever BE- appeared, great crowds
would gather around him. Toward night the
women and the preacher began to retire, ald
10y 5 O'Clock the fight was given up. The Off
c!a msj ,rity 10, the Gale is ,tf0.